CPA UK Chief Executive Jon Davies welcomes the delegation at the start of the day in the CPA room

In October 2023 CPA UK hosted a delegation from the Malaysian Young Leadership Programme. This one-day visit offered insight into the workings of the UK Parliament, whilst encouraging an increased understanding of Malaysian current affairs and political structures amongst UK Members.  

The delegation consisted of ten young people who are active in Malaysian politics as elected Members and in other roles, with an equal gender split between men and women. 

The Young Leadership Programme is organised through the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and has sent three other delegations to visit CPA UK and Westminster over the last five years. The Programme focuses on several key themes of importance in Malaysian current affairs, including governance and party politics, progressive reforms, climate action, and issues around gender and women's representation.

Members of the Malaysian delegation in discussion

In their most recent visit, the delegation of young leaders viewed Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) from the Commonwealth Benches and met with the Rt Hon. Dame Rosie Winterton MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. They were particularly interested in how the House of Commons works day-to-day, and asked Dame Rosie about the role of the Speaker and the different types of debate, as well as how PMQs contributes to accountability - an area of current interest in the Malaysian Parliament. The delegates also enquired about the House of Commons’ processes for tackling misogyny and sexism, and how women are encouraged to engage with the electoral process. 

In the latter part of the day attention turned to the House of Lords, with the delegation observing a debate in the Upper Chamber before a meeting with the Rt Hon. the Baroness Garden of Frognal, Deputy Speaker of the House. 

The delegation met Baroness Garden, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords

The Malaysian delegation was eager to explore the role of the Lords and its relationship with the House of Commons - asking the Baroness Garden about the Prime Minister’s role in appointing Lords, and whether reform is needed to modernise the Upper Chamber. The Baroness described the Lords’ work in scrutinising legislation and its evolving constitutional role and composition over time, as well as her own experiences as a Life Peer. Rashifa Aljunied, Special Officer to State Assemblywoman and Deputy Party President of Malaysia United Democratic Alliance, reflected that “as someone involved in legislative activity in the Parliament of Malaysia, the programme exposed me to the practices of a different parliament that is much needed to strengthen our legislature.”  

Tan Hooi Peng, Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly, enjoyed the opportunity to observe UK democracy in action: “through the experience of sitting in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, I saw first-hand how MPs & Peers debate, which was eye-opening & impactful.”